Gu Yue stood to the side, a trace of worry in her eyes. But when she heard Yu Longyue's slightly provocative words, she could not help smiling, her smile like a spring breeze sweeping across a frozen lake.
Leng Yaozhu noticed Gu Yue's smile as well and naturally knew that the relationship between Gu Yue and Yu Longyue was no ordinary one.
Qiangu Zhangting froze for a moment, his expression growing somewhat cold as he glanced at the smiling Gu Yue.
Gu Yue hurriedly ducked behind Leng Yaozhu.
Qiangu Zhangting withdrew his gaze and narrowed his eyes as he sized up Yu Longyue:
"Interesting. As expected of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's little prodigy, you certainly have courage."
"If that fellow Yu Longyang saw me, he wouldn't dare say anything of the sort."
"If I were your age, you wouldn't even dare stand in front of me." Yu Longyue's face was expressionless. "You can't even get past my brother, yet you talk pretty big. As for whether he'd dare speak to you like that, I don't know, but he'd definitely find you just as unpleasant as I do."
For their generation, the second character in their names happened to be "Long." He was Longyue, so there was a corresponding "Yang."
All he could say was, what a bizarre way of naming people. In their parents' generation, one was heaven and the other earth, while the two of them were sun and moon.
Yu Longyang was the son of his second uncle, Yu Qidi. He was also the eldest son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, a direct descendant, and Yu Longyue's older cousin.
At twenty-three, he was a rank seventy-three Soul Saint with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul. He was already quite a genius.
Before Yu Longyue awakened his God Level Martial Soul, Yu Longyang had always been the young clan master. After Yu Longyue awakened his God Level Martial Soul, their positions naturally swapped.
For that very reason, for a long time, Yu Longyang had been among those who disliked Yu Longyue and spoke out within the clan.
After all, Yu Longyue had been far too weak back then. He had also been lazy and lacked the drive to cultivate, so naturally many people had not thought highly of him.
Now things were different... A thirteen-year-old Soul King-even Yu Longyang had withdrawn into his shell. Yu Longyue was even the one who handed out Yu Longyang's monthly allowance.
He earned so much money, was strong, and had a God Level Martial Soul. Naturally, Yu Longyue's influence in the clan had gradually grown.
Qiangu Zhangting's expression grew even colder. He had not expected Yu Longyue to challenge his authority so directly. A flicker of anger flashed in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.
"Yu Longyue, you certainly have courage, but don't forget that this is the Spirit Pagoda, not your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan." Qiangu Zhangting's voice was low, carrying a hint of warning.
Yu Longyue merely smiled faintly, unaffected by Qiangu Zhangting's words. "Qiangu Zhangting, let me remind you as well: don't forget that this is Shrek City, not a place where your Spirit Pagoda can cover the sky with one hand."
One had the Coiling Dragon Staff, the other the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. For that very reason, their conversation had been thick with the smell of gunpowder from the moment they met, but neither had taken things any further.
That was because they both knew a conflict here would do neither of them any good.
So they merely indulged in a war of words.
Seeing this, Leng Yaozhu frowned slightly. She did not want to see the two clash here, so she cleared her throat softly, breaking their standoff.
"That's enough. Both of you are outstanding members of the younger generation. There's no need to argue here." Leng Yaozhu's voice carried an unquestionable authority. "Zhangting, go outside. I still have matters to discuss with Yu Longyue, so don't make trouble."
Qiangu Zhangting raised an eyebrow slightly at Leng Yaozhu's words. He seemed somewhat displeased, but he did not argue.
As the Spirit Pagoda's vice pagoda master, Leng Yaozhu's words carried sufficient weight within the organization.
"Yes, Your Eminence." Qiangu Zhangting's voice held a hint of reluctance, but he still obeyed Leng Yaozhu's order.
He glanced at Yu Longyue, who merely lifted his chin, looking down his nose at him with utter arrogance.
Qiangu Zhangting snorted coldly, then turned and left.
Leng Yaozhu turned to Yu Longyue. "Sorry you had to see that. That's just how Zhangting is."
Yu Longyue was somewhat surprised. He had not expected Leng Yaozhu to hold him in such regard.
"It's all right, Your Eminence. I didn't mean to cause trouble here. Shall we continue our earlier discussion?"
Leng Yaozhu smiled faintly, satisfied with Yu Longyue's attitude. "Indeed. Let's get back to business."
"You just... started working together like that?"
Yu Longyue brought Huo Yuhao back to the Spirit Pagoda's main hall and told Tang San about the powerful Soul Beast they had encountered earlier and his regret at being unable to help him take revenge. Then they parted ways.
Even now, Huo Yuhao was still absorbed in the cooperation Yu Longyue and Leng Yaozhu had discussed.
Huo Yuhao felt that things had gone a little too smoothly.
Yu Longyue had merely taken the opportunity to introduce him, and Leng Yaozhu had agreed, asking to see the results before formally starting their cooperation on the Spirit Ascension Platform, Soul Spirits, and the like.
Besides that, Yu Longyue and Leng Yaozhu had also reached agreements on other major forms of cooperation, including promoting the Spirit Pagoda more vigorously. Previously, the business had only involved advertising; next would come things like poverty relief, to attract more outstanding civilian Soul Masters.
"Yes, we reached an agreement just like that."
Yu Longyue spoke calmly.
"I didn't expect things to go so smoothly either, or that we'd happen to attract Leng Yaozhu's attention."
"But now there's a fly behind us that we can't shake off, no matter what."
"Qiangu Zhangting's picked a fight with you." Huo Yuhao wore a helpless expression as he saw Qiangu Zhangting striding toward them from behind.
When Qiangu Zhangting reached them, he approached Yu Longyue with a faint, apologetic smile and held out his hand. His tone carried a conciliatory note. "Yu Longyue, I was rude just now. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan came as a guest to the Spirit Pagoda's territory, and my manners fell short. I hope you'll forgive me."
Yu Longyue's gaze lingered on Qiangu Zhangting's hand for a moment.
"Actually, there's no great conflict between us, so I choose to forgive you."
With that, Yu Longyue placed his hand in Qiangu Zhangting's, and the two clasped hands. The air around them seemed to freeze at the sudden sight.
The instant they shook hands, the two began a secret contest.
A trace of smugness flashed in Qiangu Zhangting's eyes. He unleashed all his strength and Soul Power, sending them surging toward Yu Longyue like a tide, trying to gain the upper hand in this invisible contest and teach the junior a lesson.
However, Yu Longyue's hand took him by surprise. He had not even used Soul Power, yet his defense was as solid as a rock. No matter how Qiangu Zhangting's Soul Power battered it, it did not budge.
The corners of Yu Longyue's mouth curled upward slightly, and he began to exert force.
The instant he did, Qiangu Zhangting's expression turned fearful. He felt as though his hand had been clamped tightly in an iron vise, unable to break free. His palm began to creak, the sound of bones grinding against one another under tremendous pressure.
This guy's strength... He's a Soul King?!
Beside them, Huo Yuhao looked at Qiangu Zhangting as though he were an idiot.
Is there something wrong with this guy's head? Who these days would be stupid enough to compete with Yu Longyue in strength?
Even a Titled Douluo who underestimated him would be completely outmatched by Yu Longyue in strength alone.
Let alone Qiangu Zhangting, who was merely a Soul Saint.
Qiangu Zhangting gritted his teeth against the pain. He wanted to let go, but no matter what he did, he could not pull free.
Eventually, he could not help activating Martial Soul Possession. Three purple and four black Soul Rings appeared at once, instantly drawing the attention of everyone in the hall.
Qiangu Zhangting was furious, but he had no other choice. If he did not use Martial Soul Possession, he felt as though Yu Longyue would crush his hand.
Yu Longyue's smile widened as he continued to increase the pressure.
Qiangu Zhangting was even forced to use his Two-Word Battle Armor. Only then did Yu Longyue release his hand. His expression remained calm, as though nothing had happened.
"Now I forgive your poor manners. Be more careful next time. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan isn't something just anyone can get in the face of. Even your grandfather only dared put me at the top of the Young Genius Ranking to make me sick, so what about you?"
Yu Longyue shot him a glance, his bearing full of arrogance, and strode away with Huo Yuhao.
"If you want to challenge me, get past my brother first and prove you're worthy. Then come back."
Qiangu Zhangting made no move to stop Yu Longyue from leaving. Instead, his face pale and bloodless, he pulled back his trembling hand.
This was the greatest setback he had suffered in his life.